Entertainment

Cinema

The large cinema complexes are all found on or near the Ring. Notable are the Cinedom, where premiers of international films are sometimes held, and the UFA Palast Kino Center between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz. There are plenty of smaller cinemas throughout Cologne. The Filmhaus and Lupe 2 usually show innovative and independent films. English language original versions are mainly shown in the excellent Metropolis, as well as at the Cinemathek.

Comedy

Comedy is big in Cologne. Many German comedians make their debut here on the stages of the city's many theaters, such as the famous Kaiserhof Theater on the Hohenzollernring. Many other theaters feature comedy, for example, the Theater am Sachsenring in the Südstadt or the Atelier Theater on Roonstraße.

Museums

The Museum Ludwig is the city's main art museum. Right next door is the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, where you can marvel at ancient artifacts and excavations. There is also an abundance of smaller museums and galleries throughout the city. Still more art is to be seen on the walls of many cafes and bars, such as the Die Zeit der Kirschen. The unique Popdom is also worth a mention - an unusual museum of 1960s and 1970s design and pop music.

Classical Music

Classical Music is mainly presented in the Kölner Philharmonie; artists from around the world perform here. Concerts are held nearly every day. The WDR television and radio broadcasting company holds classical concerts in their auditorium studio at Wallrafplatz performed by the Kölner Rundfunkorchester. The many free chamber music concerts by students of the Hochschule für Musik Köln also have a good reputation.

Rock, Pop & Jazz

There are many concert venues in Cologne. The huge Köln Arena in Deutz deserves a mention, as well as the large E-Werk and Palladium in Mülheim, the Live Music Hall in Ehrenfeld and the Prime Club near Barbarossaplatz. Good gigs for less money are held mainly in the MTC on Zülpicher Straße and the Underground in Ehrenfeld. There is a big electronic music scene in Cologne, which is regularly featured at the Artheater. Jazz fans can find good live music in the Em Streckstrump in the Altstadt, which has held more than 10,000 concerts.

Nightclubs

On the weekend, the many clubs along the Ring, between Zülpicherplatz and Christophstraße, hold big events for a mainly younger crowd, sometimes featuring well known DJs. During the week, it's a bit more relaxed. Most of the clubs have different themes, depending on the night. The price of admission varies considerably, but many don't charge any entry, for example the Underground.

Opera

The program at the Opernhaus Köln is very diverse, with emphasis on the old masters Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and Wagner. It is found in the center of town, along with the Scahuspielhaus. It's also nice that smaller opera fans are taken into consideration; the tent-like construction of the Kinderoper in der Yakult-Halle, or children's opera, enjoys great popularity.

Theater

Day in and day out the theaters of Cologne offer an impressive program of events from classics to modern theater of the 20th century. The main stages are the Schauspielhaus, the Schlosserei and the West-End-Theater. There are also many dedicated independent theaters. Good cabaret can be found at the Die Machtwächter. The tickets for independent productions are relatively inexpensive, and the Schauspielhaus offers a last-minute box office and discounts for students.